Posted March 24, 2016

Biology

The Department of Biology provides students with a strong foundation in the biological or forensic sciences. Using inquiry-based learning and scholastic rigor, our curriculum stimulates academic excellence through independent thinking, interdisciplinary applications and critical analysis to develop tomorrow’s leaders in the natural sciences.

Degrees Offered

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in biology and in forensic biology.

Biology Majors

The A.B. degree in biology is recommended for those students interested in the biological sciences whose career goals do not require courses in physics or calculus, e.g., scientific illustration, science writing or environmental law. The major requires a minimum of 40 credit hours (10 courses).

BIOL 111

Integrative Biology: Molecules and Cells - 4 credits

BIOL 112

Integrative Biology: Organisms, Ecology and Evolution - 4 credits

BIOL 291*

Introduction to Scientific Inquiry - 4 credits

CHEM 111

Chemical Principles I - 4 credits

CHEM 112

Chemical Principles II - 4 credits

One BIOL elective course at any level (4 credits)

Two BIOL elective courses at the 200-level or above (8 credits)

Two BIOL elective courses at the 300 or 400-level (8 credits)

*Will not be accepted as transfer credit and may not be taken at a consortium school. BIOL 291 should be taken no later than the fourth biology course. As a part of the writing sequence at Guilford, it should be taken after the completion of Historical Perspectives and before enrolling in IDS.

Total credit hours required for A.B. degree in Biology – 40 credits

Major Requirements for B.S. Degree in Biology

The biology B.S. major is recommended for students planning to pursue graduate study in any area of biology, or in the medical, dental, veterinary or allied health professions. The major requires a minimum of 56 credit hours (14 courses).

BIOL 111

Integrative Biology: Molecules and Cells - 4 credits

BIOL 112

Integrative Biology: Organisms, Ecology and Evolution - 4 credits

BIOL 291*

Introduction to Scientific Inquiry - 4 credits

CHEM 111

Chemical Principles I - 4 credits

CHEM 112

Chemical Principles II - 4 credits

PHYS 111 (Introduction to Physics for the Life Sciences I) or PHYS 117 (Physics I)

PHYS 112 (Introduction to Physics for the Life Sciences II) or PHYS 118 (Physics II)

One BIOL elective course at any level (4 credits)

Two BIOL elective courses at the 200-level or above (8 credits)

Two BIOL elective courses at the 300 or 400-level (8 credits)

*Will not be accepted as a transfer credit and may not be taken at a consortium school. BIOL 291 should be taken no later than the fourth biology course. As part of the writing sequence at Guilford, it should be take after completion of Historical Perspectives and before enrolling in IDS.

choose Two math courses (8 credits)

MATH 112

Elementary Statistics - 4 credits

MATH 115

Elementary Functions - 4 credits

MATH 121

Calculus I - 4 credits

MATH 122

Calculus II - 4 credits

or choose one math course (4 credits)

All biology courses involve fieldwork and off-campus field trips. Expanded study and research opportunities are available on the Guilford campus, at the North Carolina coast, in the mountains, and at regional universities and organizations. Several biology courses are included as options for the environmental studies major. Summer field courses offer students the opportunity to study in various places around the world.

Biology (B.S.) majors are encouraged to pursue independent research projects under the supervision of a biology faculty member through collaborations with other universities, summer REUs or with Guilford faculty. This research can lead to the generation of a senior thesis (BIOL 470) or departmental honors (BIOL 490). In addition, there are numerous opportunities for student participation in independent studies (BIOL 260 or 460) and internships (BIOL 290).

Major Requirements for A.B. Degree in Forensic BiologyThis major will be valuable preparation for those interested in pursuing careers in the criminal justice system, the FBI or the SBI, as well as for work with humanitarian agencies investigating human rights abuses. In addition, students interested in law, journalism and creative writing will be able to double-major and thus acquire the knowledge needed to complement their other field of specialization.

Major Requirements for B.S. Degree in Forensic Biology

The forensic biology B.S. degree is recommended for students planning to work in a public or private forensics laboratory. The major also prepares students intending to seek certification as forensic DNA analysts, forensic drug analysts or to pursue graduate study in the forensic sciences.

It is recommended that students pursuing the B.S. degree in forensic biology take CHEM 231, Organic Chemistry I and CHEM 232, Organic Chemistry II and/or CHEM 341, Instrumental Analysis. Your academic advisor will assist you in your course planning. Forensic biology B.S. majors are encouraged to pursue independent research projects that can lead to the preparation of a senior thesis (BIOL 470), or departmental honors (BIOL 490). Students should explore the practical aspects of a career in forensics by arranging for an Internship with a local law enforcement agency or laboratory during their junior or senior year (BIOL 370 or 470).

The minor in forensic science provides students with a focused and coherent study of the techniques used by various disciplines to analyze evidence found at the scene of a crime. The focus is on the meaning and significance of physical evidence and its role in criminal investigations. Techniques and insights provided by the scientific areas of chemistry, biology, physics and geology are used to explore the utility and limitations that technology and knowledge impose on the individualization and characterization of forensic evidence.

The study of forensics makes science relevant and pertinent to the interests and goals of pre-law students and those interested in pursuing careers with the FBI or other law enforcement agencies, in pathology, in creative writing or with international agencies monitoring ethnic and political violence.

The minor in forensic science is not available to forensic biology majors.

The minor requires a minimum of 16 credit hours (four courses).

BIOL 245

Introduction to Forensic Science - 4 credits

BIOL 246/CHEM 246

Forensic Chemistry - 4 credits

BIOL 349

Forensic Anthropology - 4 credits

JPS 200

Criminal Procedure - 4 credits

Total credit hours required for forensic science minor – 16 credits

Biology Facilities

The field biology laboratory is not only a space for the continuing study of the flora and fauna of North Carolina, but is also a rich source of archival materials collected over many decades. The lab contains a collection of study skins and mounts of birds native to North Carolina, and a collection of bird nests from the Piedmont region. This laboratory houses two historical collections of bird eggs gathered in the 1800s, including the T. Gilbert Pearson egg collection. In addition, students have access to a herbarium of North Carolina plants, and reference collections of preserved reptiles, amphibians and mammal skulls of species native to North Carolina and beyond.

Students investigate various aspects of human physiology using computer-based software for recording electrocardiograms, electromyograms and electroencephalograms. Advanced studies in neuroscience include the recording of individual neuronal action potentials. An associated laboratory for field studies in fisheries biology houses a complete array of equipment for the investigation of aquatic ecology, limnology and ichthyology.

Standard and advanced equipment in the molecular biology and microbial genetics lab provide students with the tools for the study of the phylogenetic relationship between microbial organisms and the molecular analysis of signaling processes in nematodes. In their independent research projects, students utilize instrumentation for the growth of organisms under a variety of conditions, and the isolation, purification and quantification of genomic DNA. Students routinely utilize the techniques of PCR, Pulsed-field Gel electrophoresis, fluorescent microscopy, recombinant DNA technologies and RNAi. The department has two fully-equipped laboratories dedicated to independent, student research projects.

The forensic biology laboratory supports advanced forensics students in molecular cell biology and forensic anthropology. Students pursue the identification of drugs and toxins utilizing the gas chromatograph-mass spectrograph, which provides definitive identification of these substances. The laboratory is also where students investigate a variety of topics related to cause of death, e.g., identification of diatoms related to deaths by drowning, and skeletal damage due to ballistics, cutting and blunt force trauma. The highlight of the Forensic Anthropology course, the investigation of clandestine graves, utilizes the equipment and archival materials of the forensic biology lab for this capstone experience in forensics.

Students utilize research-grade microscopes for the analysis of trace forensic evidence and explore a variety of chemical methods for developing latent fingerprints. Forensic chemistry students employ the fully automated Shimadzu QP 2010 gas chromatography-mass spectrograph for the definitive identification of illegal drugs. Another major focus of the laboratory experience is the preparation of forensic DNA Profiles. After DNA extraction, forensic STR loci (including the CODIS loci) are amplified with the 9700 Thermocycler. Fluorescence detection of STR alleles is accomplished with one of the ABI 310 Genetic Analyzers. The ABI 7500 Real-Time PCR system is used to monitor DNA extraction from unusual forensic samples such as dentition. Computer-based GeneMapper software allows students to complete the construction of human DNA Profiles encompassing fifteen STR forensic markers.

“You made my brain stretch, what exercise! Thank you for pointing me in the right direction and giving me a push when I needed it. You inspired me to be a better scientist.”­

Recognizing that students learn best by doing, the biology faculty at Guilford is committed to an experiential approach. From the North Carolina coast to the waters of the Galapagos and the highlands of Nicaragua, we offer students a wide range of curriculum options and experiences.

Small class size (a maximum of 24 students) ensures individualized instruction in both the classroom and the laboratory and at Guilford. All students are guided by faculty members with terminal degrees (PhD) who have a diverse range of expertise within the field: forensics, microbiology, molecular/cell biology, immunology, neurobiology, plant physiology, aquatic and avian field biology.

The Frank Family Science Center was designed by the faculty to support their experiential approach to instruction and encourage collaboration. Students benefit from modern, well-equipped laboratories. There are dedicated labs for students conducting independent research projects. Students studying ecology, ornithology and other field courses utilize the 240-acre College Woods as a living laboratory. The Center truly is the center of science study at Guilford and a home away from home for biology students and faculty.

Experiential learning is an integral component of an undergraduate education at Guilford. Internships, research and study abroad opportunities extend the learning experience beyond the boundaries of the classroom, providing students with the opportunity to explore and experience a rich variety of vocational and scholarly pursuits. Select from the areas below to learn more about some of the places our students have gone.

Field Studies and Study Abroad

School for Field Studies: Kenya, Australia, Costa Rica, Turks/Caicos Islands

Dr. Beatriz Juncadella, Empalme de Boaco, Nicaragua

NC State University (Marvin’s internship)

University of Alaska

University of North Carolina at Greensboro – bat migration

SciWorks of Winston-Salem

North Carolina Zoo

Shavers Creek Environmental Education Center, Pa.

Smithsonian Institution

Student Conservation Association

Golden Gate Raptor Observatory

Rohini Rajanaryanan '17

Annie Irving '08

Sarah Hammood '18

Khadija Carr '15

Kayla Adkins '16

Greensboro, N.C., forensic biology & health sciences double-majorFuture Plans: Will attend graduate school at Liberty University to study biomedical scienceFavorite Quote: “Hard work is the only key to success”Parting Thoughts: Guilford allowed me to fly into new worlds, not only in the classroom, but also outside of it.

Daniel Hulburt '16

Blacksburg, Va., biology majorFuture Plans: Naturist Specialist, San Mateo Outdoor EducationPost-Grad Plan Details: I will be teaching 5th and 6th grade children about natural biology. I also plan to apply to physical therapy school.Favorite Quote: “As a child I assumed that when I reached adulthood I would have grown up thoughts.” -David SedarisParting Thoughts: Guilford has been a wonderful place for me in the last four years. I've grown to love so many people that make up this community.